Dahlia plant named &#39;Daseksten&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘DASEKSTEN’ characterized by ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base, yellow, RHS 9A transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30C; capitulum (composite flower head): 8.5 cm in diameter, with a large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150); foliage: mature leaves are up to 12 cm in length, mostly compound, with 2 to 3 elliptic leaflets; and plant vigor and growth habit: Moderately vigorous, grows upright and is globular in shape.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Dahlia sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DASEKSTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahliaplant, botanically known as Dahlia sp. of the Compositae (Asteraceae)family, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DASEKSTEN’.

The new Dahlia cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Rune Harboe Nielsen, in Fyn, Denmark. Theobjective of the breeding program is to develop a new Dahlia varietywith an upright, strong and healthy growth habit, suitable for largescale container production; fully double flowers creatingglobular-shaped flower head (composite flower heads with many rayflorets).

The new Dahlia cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlledbreeding program by the inventor in 2003 in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. Thefemale or seed parent is the Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188 Hawaii’(unpatented). The male or pollen parent is the Dahlia hortensisGuillaumin designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented). The new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plantwithin the progeny of the stated cross in June of 2003 in a controlledenvironment in Fyn, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia cultivar by vegetative cuttingswas first. performed in February of 2004 in Fyn, Denmark, and hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true totype.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe unique characteristics of ‘DASEKSTEN’, which in combinationdistinguish this Dahlia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Ray floret color (fully opened): upper side: near base,        yellow, RHS 9A transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30C;    -   2. Capitulum (composite flower head): 8.5 cm in diameter, with a        large number of ray florets (about 110 to 150);    -   3. Foliage: Mature leaves are up to 12 cm in length, mostly        compound, with 2 to 3 elliptic leaflets; and    -   4. Plant Vigor and Growth Habit: Moderately vigorous, grows        upright and is globular in shape.

Plants of the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ differ from the parental plants,Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188 Hawaii’ (unpatented) and Dahliahortensis Guillaumin designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented), in thecharacteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar ‘99.A188 Hawaii’‘0.1.130B’ Characteristic ‘DASEKSTEN’ (unpatented), (unpatented) FlowerColor Orange Red Red Orange Capitulum About 8.5 cm About 7.5 cm About 8cm Diameter: Mature Leaf Length: Up to 12 cm About 11 cm About 12 cmPlant Height: About 14.5 cm About 14 cm About 18 cm Plant Diameter:About 17.5 cm About 16 cm About 19 cm

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to the new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ are the Dahlia sp.‘DAFEMTEN’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,185) and Dahlia sp. ‘DA12’(patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,632) in the characteristics describedin Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison Comparison ‘DAFEMTEN’ Dahlia sp. ‘DA12’ New Cultivar(patented, U.S. (patented, U.S. Characteristic ‘DASEKSTEN’ PP19,185)PP19,632) Mature Ray Floret Yellow to Orange-Red Yellow-orange Red Color(upper surface): Capitulum About 8.5 cm About 8 cm About 10.25 cmDiameter: Mature Leaf Length: Up to 12 cm About 4 to 7 cm About 6 to 15cm Plant Vigor: Moderately vigorous Vigorous Vigorous Plant Height:About 14.5 cm About 16.5 cm About 42.5 cm Plant Diameter: About 17.5 cmAbout 19 cm About 40 cm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonablypossible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describes the color of‘DASEKSTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘DASEKSTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 2 shows a top view perspective of a typical flowering plant of‘DASEKSTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 13 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up top and bottom view of the typical foliage, aswell as, a fully opened capitulum of ‘DASEKSTEN’, at 13 weeks of ageafter planting.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the detailed floral parts of a fullyopened capitulum of ‘DASEKSTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison view of a typical mature flowering plant ofthe new cultivar ‘DASEKSTEN’ (top) in a 11 cm pot compared to a typicalmature flowering plant of the comparison cultivar ‘DAFEMTEN’ in a 11 cmpot (bottom).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Dahlia ‘DASEKSTEN’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, andday length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new Dahlia‘DASEKSTEN’ as grown in a protected environment in a glasshouse in Fyn,Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice. During propagation, conducted ina glasshouse, vegetative cuttings were planted in small propagation potswith peat as substrate, and then placed in a plastic tunnel averagingabout 21° C. and received photoperiodic treatments of 18 hours.Supplementary light was given when natural light fell below 3000-4000Lux. Rooting occurred about 12 days after planting. In third week afterplanting, young plants were potted in an 11 cm pot in a glasshousemaintained at 18° C. to 22° C. during the day, and at 17° C. to 19° C.during the night. Photoperiodic treatments were continued at 18 hours,and supplementary light was given when natural light fell below3000-4000 Lux. Irrigation was done with water. The EC measured in thesoil was maintained between 2.0 to 3.0. One week after potting, thefirst growth regulation was given: a spray with 85% daminozide, 0.2%,40-100 ml/m². During the production time, 9 additional sprayings weregiven with 85% daminozide, 0.2%, 40-100 ml/m².

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.), 2001 edition, except where general colors of ordinarysignificance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditionsat approximately 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM in Fyn, Odense, Denmark. The ageof the ‘DASEKSTEN’ plants described is 13 weeks (including propagationtime).

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Dahlia sp.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Dahlia Cav. designated ‘99.A188            Hawaii’ (unpatented)        -   Male or pollen parent.—Dahlia hortensis Guillaumin            designated ‘01.130B’ (unpatented)-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Vegetative cuttings.        -   Rooting description.—Fine, fibrous; may develop tubers in            late fall.        -   Height of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can grow            to about 20 to 30 cm.        -   Diameter of rooting structure.—Depends on container, can            grow to about 20 to 30 cm.        -   Color of roots.—White, RHS 155B.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 days at 21° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 28 days at 21° C.            during rooting phase, followed by 18° C.        -   Tubers.—Will form under short day conditions, 12 hours of            darkness. Tubers may develop in late fall when planted            outdoors.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 7 to 9 weeks are required to            produce finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots, provided            daylength is 18 hrs.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately Vigorous, about 2 cm per week.        -   Form.—Globular, upright and slight spreading.        -   Size.—Height (from soil level to top of plant plane): About            13 to 16 cm Spread: About 15 to 20 cm.        -   Stem.—Appearance/Shape: Circular, hollow, glabrous.            Diameter: About 6 to 14 mm. Aspect: Upright to outward.            Strength: Strong. Texture: Glaucous. Pubescence: None.            Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older stems, and yellow-green, RHS            146A, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light.        -   Lateral branches.—Quantity per plant: About 3 to 5 (when            pinching over 3 pair of leaves). Length (including            inflorescences): About 9 to 14 cm. (including break to base            of peduncle): About 6 to 9 cm. Diameter: About 5 to 12 mm.            Color: Brown, RHS 200A on older branches, and yellow-green,            RHS 146A, on younger stems or stems exposed to less light.        -   Habit.—Freely branching. Basal Branching: Yes. Pinching:            Pinching recommended. Internode length: About 1 to 2 cm.        -   Foliage.—Type: Lower leaves: Single. Upper leaves: compound,            3-5 lobed. Quantity of leaves per lateral branch: About 6            to 8. Quantity of leaflets per compound leaf: 1 to 3. Color            (leaves and leaflets): Color (mature): Upper side: Green,            RHS 139A. Under side: Grayed-green, RHS 191B. Color            (immature): Upper side: Green, RHS 139A. Under side: RHS,            RHS 138A.        -   Venation (leaves and leaflets).—Pattern: Pinnatilobate.            Color: Upper side: Yellow green, RHS 148A. Under side:            Yellow-green, RHS 146A.        -   Simple leaves.—Arrangement: Opposite, decussate. Length:            About 6 to 12 cm. Width: About 2.5 to 8 cm. Shape:            Elliptical, cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin:            Erose. Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi            circular, with deep furrow on adaxial side. Length: About 1            to 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color: Upper side:            Brown, RHS 200C. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS 146A.        -   Compound leaves.—Arrangement and shape: Opposite, decussate.            Length: Up to 10 cm. Width: Up to 9 cm. Shape: Elliptical,            cuspidate tip, rounded to cordate base. Margin: Erose.            Texture (both sides): Rugose. Petiole: Shape: Semi circular.            Length: About 1 to 3 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 5 mm. Color:            Upper side: Brown, RHS 200C. Under side: Yellow-green, RHS            146A. Leaflets of Compound Leaf: Terminal: Quantity: 1.            Length: About 6.5 cm. Width: About 5 cm. Rachis: Length: Up            to 1 cm. Diameter: About 2 to 3 mm. Color: Yellow-green, RHS            146A Lateral: Quantity: About 1 to 2. Length: About 5 cm.            Width: About 3 cm.-   Flowering description:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Grown outside as a bedding plant,            flowering occurs continuously during growing season from            spring to autumn. (In Denmark, from June to beginning of            October). Plants can be brought to flower anytime when grown            under the recommended greenhouse conditions.        -   Time to first flower.—About 7 to 9 weeks from potting of a            rooted cutting.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on plant.—Depending on            weather conditions, about 6 to 10 days.        -   Fragrance.—None.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Type.—Capitulum (composite flower head).        -   Arrangement.—Persistent, single, composite inflorescences            from leaf axils. Disc and ray florets arranged acropetally            on a capitulum.        -   Flowering aspect.—Upright, slightly spreading. Young flower            head/buds initially 30° to 90° turning to 0° to 30° when            flower head opens.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per lateral branch.—About 2            open capitulum and 4 buds.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Bud.—Quantity: Up to 4 per lateral stem (buds continue to            develop when the dead composite flower heads are removed).            Rate of Opening: About 1 to 3 buds per week. About 4 to 10            days for bud to progress from first color to fully opened            inflorescence. Shape: Globular. Length (when color shows):            About 1.2 to 1.5 cm Diameter (when color shows): About 1.4            to 1.8 cm Texture: Glabrous, shining. Color: Yellow-green,            RHS 144A.        -   Peduncle.—Length: About 3 to 6 cm. Diameter: About 3 to            4 mm. Strength: Strong. Aspect (angle to vertical): First            flower: About 0° to 10°. Second flower: About 20° to 30°.            Texture: Glabrous Color: Mature: Brown, RHS 200B; Immature:            Yellow-green, RHS 146A.        -   Inflorescence.—Inflorescence depth (height): About 8 to            9 cm. Inflorescence diameter: About 4 to 5 cm. Disc            diameter: About 5.5 cm. Receptacle diameter: About 8 mm.            Receptacle height: About 4 to 6 mm.        -   Ray florets.—Arrangement: Imbricate, in about 11 to 15            whorls of ray florets, each with 9 to 11 florets to equal a            total of about 110-150 ray florets per capitulum, depending            on light and temperature conditions. Overall shape: Obovate,            involute with a rounded tip. Apex shape: Obtuse. Base shape:            Acuminate, fused to form tube. Length: About 30 to 40 mm.        -   Diameter (width).—About 20 to 30 mm.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Upper and under surfaces: Glabrous.        -   Orientation.—Initially 10° from vertical, with development,            to 80° from vertical.        -   Color.—Development and tones of color for florets may change            slightly depending on light and temperature conditions When            opening: Upper surface: Near base, yellow-orange, RHS 14A,            transitioning to orange-red, RHS N30B, at tip. Under            surface: Primarily, orange-red, RHS 31 A, with longitudinal            stripes of yellow-orange, RHS 14A. When fully opened: Upper            surface: Near base, yellow, RHS 9A, transitioning to            orange-red, RHS N30C, at tip. Under surface: Primarily,            orange-red, RHS 31 A, with longitudinal stripes of yellow,            RHS 9C. Just before senescence: Upper surface: Orange-red,            RHS N30D. Under surface: Orange-red, RHS 31 B.        -   Disc florets.—Arrangement: Massed at center of capitulum,            about 30-50 disc florets per capitulum, which are            yellow-orange in color. Appearance: Tubular to single, fused            corolla. Overall shape: Tubular. Apex shape: Star with 5            triangular tips. Base shape: Fused to tube. Length: About 5            to 6 mm. Diameter: About 1 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both            surfaces): Glabrous, translucent. Color: Transparent,            yellow-orange, RHS 14A.        -   Phyllaries.—Quantity: One subtending each floret. About 110            to 150 phyllaries per capitulum. Overall shape: Thin            translucent, papery. Phyllaries, arranged acropetally on the            capitulum. Overall shape: Rounded. Apex shape: Acute with            rounded tip. Base shape: Fused. Length: About 9 to 14 mm.            Width: About 4 to 6 mm. Margin: Entire. Color: Mature:            Yellow-green, RHS 151B. Immature: Primarily yellow-green,            RHS 151 D, to green, RHS 144A, near base.        -   Bracts.—Quantity: About 6 to 8. Appearance and arrangement:            Reflexed, involucral bracts. Overall shape: Subulate. Apex            shape: Acute. Base shape: Sessile. Length: About 12 to            18 mm. Width: About 4 to 7 mm. Margin: Entire. Texture (both            sides): Glabrous. Color: Mature: Upper side: Green, RHS            139A. Under side: Primarily, yellow-green, RHS 151D, to            yellow-green, RHS 144A, near base. Immature: Upper side:            Green, RHS 139A. Under side: Green, RHS 139B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Androecium.—        -   Stamen.—Number: 5, fused into synandrous tube around style.            Disc florets fertile, ray florets sterile. Length: About 6            to 8 mm.        -   Anther.—Shape: Tubular. Length: About 3 to 4 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scarce. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Gynoecium.—        -   Pistil.—Quantity: One per disc floret. Length: About 4 to 6            mm.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Bifurcate. Length: About 3 to 6 mm. Color:            Yellow-orange, RHS 20A.        -   Style.—Length: About 2 to 3 mm. Color: Yellow-orange, RHS            20D.        -   Ovary.—Shape: Globular Diameter: About 1 mm. Color:            Yellow-green, RHS 151 C.-   Seed/fruit: None observed.-   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to    Dahlia has not been observed.-   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests    common to Dahlia has not been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 2° C.    (but flowering ceases at constant temperature below 12° C.) and    tolerant to a high temperature of about 35° C. Optimum flowering    occurs only between 12° C. and 30° C. High temperatures might reduce    flowering.-   Growth regulators: Daminozide (85% water soluble dry concentrate    formulation).

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘DASEKSTEN’, asdescribed and illustrated herein.